Torpedo



Sept. 4, 1928. 1,683,124

A. F. BLASIAR TORPEDO Filed Feb. 28, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' AIB attoz n1 Patented Sept. 4, 1928 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR F. BLASIAR, OF GUILFORD, NEW YORK.

TORPEDO.

- Applicationfiled February 28, 192:5. Serial No. 12,445.

This invention relates to improvements in torpedoes and more particularly to improvements in the propulsion mechanism therefor.

It is well-known to those familiar with this subject that submarine torpedoes are driven by means of two oppositely rotating propellers at theafter-end thereof which are.

in turn driven by oppositely rotating turbines connected therewith through intervening reduction gearing.

The present invention contemplates a drive mechanism of the above general character in which a single vertically disposed turbine isintended to operate either as a reduction turbine or as a combined impulse and reaction turbine, the gases in the latter case being only partially expanded in the first stage nozzles and the expansion progressing throughout the remaining stages to back pressure. The pressure drop can be con- 7 trolled in the desired manner by proper design of the blading whereby the turbine may be operated at a speed sufliciently low to permit direct connection to the-propeller shafts thus eliminating the gear train heretofore considered necessary.

It is, therefore, one of the objects of the present invention to provide a mechanism of the above general character characterized simplicity and compactness, .reduction of weight and. cost and possibilities of in creased power, efficiency and reliability.

A further object is to provide a gear mechanism of the above character having an improved oil circulating system forproperly lubricating the transmission during the run of the torpedo. i

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in" connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings wherein isshown a preferred embodiment of the invention and in the several views of which corresponding reference characters indicate similar parts throughout.

the forward end of the midship section or just aft of the compartment holding the air flask fuel reservoirs and combustion flask.

This section contains a supporting spider 6 or plate having adjacent thereto a second spider 7' secured thereto by means of spacing members 8.

Interposed between the two spiders are the turbine wheels, one of which 10 is provided with a plurality of pockets or blades 11 adapted to coact alternately with pockets 12 carried by the other wheel 13. The turbine 10, which may be considered the driving trubine, is rotatably connected by an inlet pipe 14' with the main source of supply pipe 15., the latter being connected directly with the combustion flask to which the air, fuel and water are supplied and ignited in the usual well-known manner.

It will also be noted that the driving wheel 10 is mounted directly upon shaft 16 while if the. driven wheel or turbine 13 is connected with the concentric shaft 17. The wheels or turbines rotating in opposite directions will, of course, drive these shafts alsoiin opposite directions to get the proper action upon the propellers at the stern of the torpedo.

By reference to Figure 1 it will be noted that the driving wheel 10 is provided with a sleeve 18 and a concentric sleeve 20 is carried by the driven wheel 13 and between these wheels are a series of roller bearings 21 and ball bearings 22 to eliminate friction as much as possible. Interposed between the sleeve of the driven wheel 13 and the spider 7 is another ball bearing 23. The

parts are held in assembled position by means of locking collars 24 and 25 as may be necessary.

All. of these roller bearings and relatively moving" parts are lubricated to reduce friction throughout the entire mechanism as much as possible. In order to prevent overheating of. this lubricant it will be noted that the shell 26 housing the roller bearings is provided with an inlet '27 and an outlet 28, the latter communicating through pipe 30 as shown diagrammatically with the oil reservoir 31 which in turn communicates with the pump 32 leading to a cooling coil 33 within a chamber 34 which chamber is,

open to sea water at 35 and provided with an outlet 36. The coil 33 is providedwitli a return pipe 37 leading backto the inlet opening 27.

I actuated in any desired manner to cause a From circulation of the lubricant through the operating mechanisms thence to the cooling chamber prior to its return to the operating mechanism.

and a flange 40 extending beyond a second flange 41 on ,the spider 7, thesefianges. of

course, being within the housing 26. Thus asfthe turbine" rotates, any oil which may leak pastthe relatively moving sleeves towardsthe driven wheel is thrown outthrough these openings 38 and caught by the flange, V 41 and returned to the interior of the cas-j ing26 where it joins the flowof circulating for use in the propulsion of torpedoes. Ob-

viously the unit is much simpler than the disc turbine now n use andthe avoidance stallation; The cooling'and circulating of the lubricant through a water chamber will,

a of course, materially keepidown the tempera- V efliciency andreliability,

ture of thet'urbine andtherebyincrease its v v v torpedo through the water, the opposite ends of jwhich are connected respectivelyfwith i n .1. In a torpedo, n combination, driving .anddriven turbine wheels, concentric driven shaftswith whichl saidwheels are connected,

anti'friction devices interposed between the relat'ivelymoving parts to reduce friction,

a lubricating circulating system forifrcing oil ov-er the relatively moving parts, and aychainber through which sea water may automaticallypass in transit of the torpedo through water, the chamber housinga' portion of ,the lubricating system in the path of flow ofthe water, therethrough;

QQIn a .torp'edmxin combination, driving and driven turbineewheels, concentric driven shafts with which said wheels areconnected, V

anti-friction devices interposed between-the relatively moving parts to reduce friction and a lubricating circulating system for forcing oil overthe relatively moving parts,

gmeafns for cooling said oil duringfthe operanon of the device, said cooling'means com-f prising a chamber open to seawater.

the new; it W111 be seen that 1 the presentinvention contemplates a simple and practical power unit particularly adapted 3. Ina torpedo, in,.jcombination, driving and drivenwheels, oneof which is provided with a centrally disposed conduit connected with the source of power, two concentrically dispoaedfi driven shafts connected with the r v drivingand driven turbines, a casin en- It will also be noted that the drivenwheel," is provided with a plurality of openings 38 gaging a'portion of said shafts, roller arings between therelatively movable parts, forced 'feed lubricating means connected ortion of said 7 system and through whic sea water is caused to automatically by the forward.

movement 5 h? rpedo? a 4,111 a torpedo,in conibination,driving v and drivenwheels, onefof which provided with a centrally disposed conduit "connected with the source of power, twoconcentrically' disposed drivenshafts connected with the driving and driven turbines, a casin g engag 'ing a portionof said shafts, roller bearings between the relatively movable parts, forced V feed lubricating system "for lubricating the? relatively moving "partsfsaid lubricating system including an oil reservoir, a pum wand a cooling coil 'exposed'to constantly changing sea waterthat is automatically forced about the coil the progres's'of the opposite sides of v casing;

5; In a torpedo, in -combiiiation, driving and driven wheels, one of whicli'is provided" with a centrally disposed conduit-connected with thesource" of owentwo concentrically disposed driven shaft-s connected withp'the driving and driven turbine -a casin enga'g v nig a portion of sand sha'ftslyrollerbearings between the reiativelyniovable parts, forced feed lubricating meansfor lubricating the relatively moving parts, saidf lubricatingmeansincludin an oil reservoir, a pump and'cooling coi V systelnf'are connected respectively withfop- Eositcisrdes of said (238111", said coolingc'oil i Sig ed anew Yo k, -a this. 31 (my;

a rman} BLASIAEI p i a the opposite ends ofQwhich 

